[ifoney]

I have been trying to buy a 2012 or newer Cayman for a few months now. All the CPOs in my area (Bay Area, Norcal) are 2014/2015 and priced around 50k and I wish I could locate a 2012 and spend less. Why can't I find any 2012's around? I see Boxster(s) but zero Caymans so far. What gives?

 

[engnr1]

I have been trying to buy a 2012 or newer Cayman for a few months now. All the CPOs in my area (Bay Area, Norcal) are 2014/2015 and priced around 50k and I wish I could locate a 2012 and spend less. Why can't I find any 2012's around? I see Boxster(s) but zero Caymans so far. What gives?

2012 was a transition year, it was the last year of the 987.2 Cayman models, meaning most of what they made were Cayman R's (which are a separate market unto themselves) and various "black edition" models. 2009-2012 Caymans were pretty much the same FWIW, they all had the same engines (2.9 non-DFI and 3.4 DFI) and transmission options (6-speed and PDK), although some colors in 2009 became premium ($2500) options in later years while other colors were introduced. In general, the 987.2 models, while an improvement technically over the original 987.1 models (2006-08), did not sell nearly as well (thank you recession), and are thus more rare. So if you cast your net to include 2009-2012, you'll have a better shot finding what you're looking for.

 

[ifoney]

2012 was a transition year, it was the last year of the 987.2 Cayman models, meaning most of what they made were Cayman R's (which are a separate market unto themselves) and various "black edition" models. 2009-2012 Caymans were pretty much the same FWIW, they all had the same engines (2.9 non-DFI and 3.4 DFI) and transmission options (6-speed and PDK), although some colors in 2009 became premium ($2500) options in later years while other colors were introduced. In general, the 987.2 models, while an improvement technically over the original 987.1 models (2006-08), did not sell nearly as well (thank you recession), and are thus more rare. So if you cast your net to include 2009-2012, you'll have a better shot finding what you're looking for.

Thanks, that makes sense. I am worried that earlier models may require maintenance within a few thousand miles and I'll have to eat that cost anyway, probably worth spending more and getting a 2014 in that case.

 

[ddodd]

Thanks, that makes sense. I am worried that earlier models may require maintenance within a few thousand miles and I'll have to eat that cost anyway, probably worth spending more and getting a 2014 in that case.

I came to the same conclusion plus I thought the 981 was a better car and bought a 2014 S.

 

[gcurnew]

The total number of 987.1 and 987.2 Cayman sold were tallied up my a member here a couple of years ago. http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-and-boxster-chat/82659-987-2-cs-rare.html?highlight=24+Cayman

987.1 Cayman
2006 7,025
2007 6,027
2008 3,513
Total 16,565

987.2 Cayman
2009 1,966
2010 1,322
2011 1,377
2012 462
Total 5,127

Total 987 Cayman 21,692

With 21,692 987s sold, and only 462 of those 2012s, they're going to be hard to find.

 

[alasorte]

The total number of 987.1 and 987.2 Cayman sold were tallied up my a member here a couple of years ago. http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-and-boxster-chat/82659-987-2-cs-rare.html?highlight=24+Cayman

987.1 Cayman
2006 7,025
2007 6,027
2008 3,513
Total 16,565

987.2 Cayman
2009 1,966
2010 1,322
2011 1,377
2012 462
Total 5,127

Total 987 Cayman 21,692

With 21,692 987s sold, and only 462 of those 2012s, they're going to be hard to find.

The numbers cited above are world-wide sales. The numbers for North America are much smaller:

Cayman S North American sales numbers.:
2006 - 5,651 (5,367 USA / 284 Canada)
2007 - 3,444 (3,361 USA / 83 Canada)
2008 - 2,562 (2,418 USA / 144 Canada)
2009 - 792 (725 USA / 67 Canada)
2010 - 614 (543 USA / 71 Canada)
2011 - 539 (506 USA / 33 Canada)
2012 - 149 (125 USA / 24 Canada)

Only 149 2012 Cayman S sales here.

BTW, I have a sweet, low miles 2011 Cayman S for sale on Panjo. Here's the link:

https://www.panjo.com/buy/beautiful-2011-cayman-s-987-2-for-sale-excellent-condition-346507

 

[ifoney]

The numbers cited above are world-wide sales. The numbers for North America are much smaller:

Cayman S North American sales numbers.:
2006 - 5,651 (5,367 USA / 284 Canada)
2007 - 3,444 (3,361 USA / 83 Canada)
2008 - 2,562 (2,418 USA / 144 Canada)
2009 - 792 (725 USA / 67 Canada)
2010 - 614 (543 USA / 71 Canada)
2011 - 539 (506 USA / 33 Canada)
2012 - 149 (125 USA / 24 Canada)

Only 149 2012 Cayman S sales here.

BTW, I have a sweet, low miles 2011 Cayman S for sale on Panjo. Here's the link:

[

Wow.. those numbers are awful. Your car looks pretty sweet! but of course you had to be 3000 miles away from me!

 

[ifoney]

The total number of 987.1 and 987.2 Cayman sold were tallied up my a member here a couple of years ago. http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-and-boxster-chat/82659-987-2-cs-rare.html?highlight=24+Cayman

987.1 Cayman
2006 7,025
2007 6,027
2008 3,513
Total 16,565

987.2 Cayman
2009 1,966
2010 1,322
2011 1,377
2012 462
Total 5,127

Total 987 Cayman 21,692

With 21,692 987s sold, and only 462 of those 2012s, they're going to be hard to find.

Thanks for the numbers ... i'll just give up on a 2012. They didnt make any in 2013, so my options are 2009 - 2011 or jump to 2014

 

[wagzhp]

Yep, the numbers above are what pushed me towards a 981. I tried for about 8 months to find a red/tan 987.2 with the options I wanted for less than $40k. I finally got tired of searching for a unicorn, and gave in and bought one with a certified warranty.

I really like the 987.1's, but couldn't risk the possibility of an IMS failure in a car that I plan to daily drive. A 987.2 with the new engine design would have been perfect for me, but with the limited numbers, I just couldn't find the right one.

I am completely thrilled with my car. It has all of the modern features that I wanted, along with the performance and dynamics that were missing in the newer BMW's that I had been considering.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[RickH]

I went through the same exercise and finally ended up with a 2014 981 CS. No regrets but I realized I was looking for a unicorn.

 

[gcurnew]

The numbers cited above are world-wide sales. The numbers for North America are much smaller:

Cayman S North American sales numbers.:
2006 - 5,651 (5,367 USA / 284 Canada)
2007 - 3,444 (3,361 USA / 83 Canada)
2008 - 2,562 (2,418 USA / 144 Canada)
2009 - 792 (725 USA / 67 Canada)
2010 - 614 (543 USA / 71 Canada)
2011 - 539 (506 USA / 33 Canada)
2012 - 149 (125 USA / 24 Canada)

Only 149 2012 Cayman S sales here.

BTW, I have a sweet, low miles 2011 Cayman S for sale on Panjo. Here's the link:

https://www.panjo.com/buy/beautiful-2011-cayman-s-987-2-for-sale-excellent-condition-346507

The original set of numbers I posted were North American totals of all Cayman models (worldwide totals are higher). The numbers you posted are just Cayman S.

 

[alasorte]

The original set of numbers I posted were North American totals of all Cayman models (worldwide totals are higher). The numbers you posted are just Cayman S.

Correct. Thanks for the clarification. There were a total of around 2,100 of the 987.2 Cayman S's sold in North America. And only around 700 Cayman R's.

I bought my 2012 Cayman R last fall. Very low miles at 8,500, and never on a track. For the price I paid, I could have gotten a clean 2015 Cayman S 981 still under factory warranty. But I wanted a 987.2. In my opinion, Porsche "homogenized" the looks of the Cayman with the 981. Still a nice-looking sports car, but the 987.2's lines are more distinctive, and will likely stand the test of time better than the more generic-looking 981. (My opinion, I don't expect others to agree!)

For those looking to buy a 987.2, it takes patience, but they are out there. R's are much more rare, but you can find them every now and then, too.

But if it's low miles car you're after, confirm that it hasn't spent its whole life on the track. 10,000 track miles is probably harder on a car than 100,000 on the street!

 

[ifoney]

987.2's lines are more distinctive, and will likely stand the test of time better than the more generic-looking 981.

I think I agree that 987.2 looks better, but the interior is a little dated. I will prefer a 987 over 981 if I can locate one with the right price, color and condition. Looking at the numbers it's a little unlikely and 981's will probably be negotiable than 987s since they are up the depreciation curve.

 

[gcurnew]

were

Correct. Thanks for the clarification. There a total of around 2,100 of the 987.2 Cayman S's sold in North America. And only around 700 Cayman R's.

I bought my 2012 Cayman R last fall. Very low miles at 8,500, and never on a track. For the price I paid, I could have gotten a clean 2015 Cayman S 981 still under factory warranty. But I wanted a 987.2. In my opinion, Porsche "homogenized" the looks of the Cayman with the 981. Still a nice-looking sports car, but the 987.2's lines are more distinctive, and will likely stand the test of time better than the more generic-looking 981. (My opinion, I don't expect others to agree!)

For those looking to buy a 987.2, it takes patience, but they are out there. R's are much more rare, but you can find them every now and then, too.

But if it's low miles car you're after, confirm that it hasn't spent its whole life on the track. 10,000 track miles is probably harder on a car than 100,000 on the street!

Your total cost of ownership with an R is going to be lower than with any 981 except perhaps a Spyder or GT4. 987 Rs and Spyders have pretty much stopped depreciating, and even the base and S 987.2 Caymans are holding their own against the 981s. In the past year, I've had three unsolicied offers for my 2012 CS; two that got to the point of discussing dollars (both in the low $60s Canadian).

In my view, the smartest car used buys on the planet right now (for drivers as opposed to collectibles) are 987.2 Rs and Spyders.

 

[ifoney]

were

Your total cost of ownership with an R is going to be lower than with any 981 except perhaps a Spyder or GT4. 987 Rs and Spyders have pretty much stopped depreciating, and even the base and S 987.2 Caymans are holding their own against the 981s. In the past year, I've had three unsolicied offers for my 2012 CS; two that got to the point of discussing dollars (both in the low $60s Canadian).

In my view, the smartest car used buys on the planet right now (for drivers as opposed to collectibles) are 987.2 Rs and Spyders.

I have not seen a R for sale by private party in the few months that I have been looking around. I found a 2011 Spyder at 55k with 60K miles, I think that a little expensive considering the mileage and the condition of that car.